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Taking pasta from boring to epic takes very little time and effort with this simple recipe for cottage cheese spaghetti!
Jarred Cottage Cheese Spaghetti Sauce
Sometimes, when I have a little more time, I make my cottage cheese pasta from scratch or even cottage cheese lasagna, but for nights when I’m in a hurry, this cottage cheese tomato sauce saves the day!
Sometimes we eat it plain, other times tossed with chicken pieces I cook in a pan. It’s versatile, and it makes me feel like I’ve got it together since my kids devour it without complaints. You can also add cottage cheese to chicken alfredo!
How to Elevate Jarred Pasta Sauce
Want to make your pasta sauce feel like homemade? Sauté a finely chopped onion and 2 garlic cloves for 2-3 minutes, until the onions are translucent. Then, add the pasta sauce to the skillet. This simple step will elevate any jar!
How to Make Cottage Cheese Tomato Sauce with a Jarred Sauce
You’re three steps away from the most epic and easy cottage cheese spaghetti! Check out the simple process and my tips to give this pasta sauce the perfect texture:
- Cook the pasta following the package directions. Once ready, reserve ½ cup of pasta water. You’ll use it later to thin the sauce.
- Blend the cottage cheese to yield a smooth texture that mixes well with the tomato sauce.
- Combine the tomato sauce and blended cottage cheese with the spaghetti. It will be thick. To thin it out, add some reserved pasta water until you get the desired consistency.
Does Cottage Cheese Melt in Sauce?
Cottage cheese doesn’t melt directly in the sauce; that’s why it needs to be blended first. Once blended and smooth, it will combine perfectly with the jarred tomato sauce.
How Much Protein is in Cottage Cheese Pasta Sauce
Each serving of spaghetti with cottage cheese tomato sauce contains about 20 grams of protein, making this pasta dinner a high-protein meal by simply including cottage cheese in the sauce!
Cottage Cheese Tomato Sauce
Ingredients
- 12 ounces of spaghetti
- 24 ounce jar of marinara sauce
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- Parmesan cheese, for serving
Instructions
Prep:
- Bring a pot of water to boil and cook the spaghetti according to package directions. When the pasta is ready, reserve ½ cup of pasta water, drain the water out, and add it back into the pot.
- Blend the cottage cheese in your blender until it’s smooth.
Combine:
- Once the pasta is cooked, pour the jarred pasta sauce and the smooth cottage cheese over the top. Use kitchen tongs and toss to mix. The sauce will be thick. If it's too thick to your liking, slowly the reserved pasta water to thin it out.
Serve:
- Divide the pasta into bowls and serve with parmesan cheese over the top.
Notes
- Elevate your jarred pasta sauce by sautéing a chopped onion and 2 garlic cloves in a skillet for 2-3 minutes, until the onions are translucent. Then, add the jarred pasta sauce and cottage cheese and combine into a sauce. Add the spaghetti and toss to combine. Add the pasta water to achieve the consistency you like.
- This pasta dish is also perfect tossed with chicken pieces you’ve cooked in a pan.
Elizabeth F says
I like cottage cheese, so it’s a treat to see a dish that incorporates it in a delicious way. I plan to give this tasty recipe a try.
Stephanie says
I never thought about combining cottage cheese with pasta sauce. Great suggestion to blend it first to make sure it mixes together well.
Jennifer Passmore says
Ooh, I’ve never thought about adding cottage cheese to spaghetti sauce! I bet that tastes delicious! I’m definitely going to have to try this! Thanks for sharing!
Melanie E says
This sounds like such a lovely pasta recipe. I have never used cottage cheese in pasta sauce before so it helps to read that it needs to be blended first!
LisaLisa says
I’m not a cottage cheese person and I have never added it to my spaghetti sauce. It looks good though and I bet it adds a different flavor and texture to your spaghetti. I might try this recipe one day